Book-finishing machine



March 17, 1931. L, w MEYERS BOOK FINISHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 50, 1929 gnmewtoz L. WMEVL IQS March 17, 1931. w. MEYERS BOOK FINISHING MACHINE P Sheets-Shed Filed Oct. 30, 1929 314420114301; L. WMEYEPfi' WQQM Patented Mar. 17, 1931 PATENT OFFICE LOUIS W. MEYERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS BOOK-FINISHING MACHINE Application filed October 30, 1929.

This invention relates to a machine or de- 1vilpe for finishing the backs of books or the In the trade the term finishing is understood to cover the operation of stamping, printing, embossing or otherwise placing letters or designs on the backs of books, and in this application the term is used to designate this operation. Heretofore, the finishing of books has been accomplished substan.- tially entirely by hand and great skill was required to place the letters or designs exactly centrally of the back of the books and in their proper arrangement with respect to the sides of the book. Also, as it was physically inconvenient to press more than one line of type against the back of the book at a time, each line had to be pressed individually.

An object of my invention is to provide a machine which will permit the finishing op eration to be performed with but little physical exertion and whereby all the lines on the back of the book may be finished simultaneously.

Another object is to provide a machine wherein the pressure on the type is produced by a combination ofleverage and rolling force.

A further object is to provide means to centralize the mechanism whereby the letters or designs will be exactly centrally of the back of the book.

A further object is to provide means whereby the type will follow the curve of the back of the book and also be properly arranged with respect to the sides of the book without requiring great skill.

A further object is to provide a machine which can be adjusted to properly finish books of different sizes and having curves of varying radii on the backs thereof.

1 A further object is to provide a chase or type holder formed in two sectionsand provided with springs between the sections Serial N0. 403,572.

whereby the type will follow any irregularities in the back of the book.

Other objects and advantages of the in vention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention. In this shows,

Figure 1 is a side elevation,

Figure 2 is a front elevation, 55 Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a similar view taken substantially on line 4-4: of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a similar view taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a similar View taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 1, parts being broken away,

Figure 7 is a similar view taken substantially on line 7-7 of Figure 3, and

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of the leaf holder.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 10 dsignates the frame of the machine adapted to receive a suitable bed 11. A vise is mounted on the bed 11 and consists of a stationary jaw 12, preferably :t'ormed integral with the bed and having a vise plate 13 secured thereon, and a movable jaw 14 having a vise plate 15 secured thereon. The upper extremity of each vise plate is provided with an in wardly directed lip 16 for a purpose to be described. Preferably formed integral with the jaw 12 and on each side thereof, and arranged at an angle to the bed, is a guide arm 17. The sides of the jaw member 14 extend outwardly of the bed and have a downwardly projecting portion 18 which engages the guide arm 17 A suitable plate 19 engages the bottom of the arm 17 and portions 18 and is secured by bolts 20 or the like to the portion 17 whereby a channel is formed surrounding the arm 17 It will readily be seen that the jaw member 14 is mounted for sliding movement on the guide arm 17. Depending from the jaw 14 and substantially centrally thereof is a pair of spaced ears 21, preferably formed integral with the jaw, suitable openings being provided adjacent the lower extremities of the ears to receive a pin or shaft 22. A pair of rollers 23 are mounted on the shaft 22 outwardly of the cars 20 and are held on the shaft by cotter pins or the like.

The frame 10 is provided on its sides and, substantially centrally thereof with preferably integral arms 24, carrying suitable jour nal boxes in which are rigidly secured a hearing rod 25. A relatively large lever 26 having a forwardly extendingportion 27 is pivotally mounted on the rod 25. The upper extremity of the lever 26 is bifurcated and the pivotal connection with the rod 26 is made through arms 28. The arms 28 are secured in position whereby they may pivot with respect to the rod 25 but are incapable of longitudinal movement thereon. The arms 28 extend upwardly a substantial distance above the shaft 22 and each arm is adapted to engage one of the rollers 23. A foot pedal 29 is arranged on the forward extremity of the lever. -It will be apparent that when the lever is depressed the arms 28 thereof will engage the rollers 23 and slide the movable jaw int-o engagement with the stationary jaw. If the lever is released the movable jaw will return to' its normal or open position by gravity because of its inclined relation with the stationary jaw. A vise screw 30, mounted in a suitable bearing 31 and carrying the usual hand wheel 32 is arranged rearwardly of the movable jaw 14. Mounted on-the screw 30 and provided with threads in which said screw operates, is a preferably rectangular nut or block 33, and a pair of side plates 34 are secured to the jaw member 14. These plates prevent the nut 33 from turning and extend rearwardly a sufficient distance to prevent rotation of thenut when the jaw 14 is in its forward or closed position. The screw 30 may be used to tighten the jaw members together after the operation of the foot lever, or the screw may be used to move the jaw members into engagement without the aid of the foot lever.

The portions of the machine which. have been described form a part of my United States Patent No. 1,747,524, granted February 18th, 1930, and form no part of the present invention except in combination with the mechanism hereinafter to be described. It will beobvious thatthe parts of the ma chine just described form means for quickly securing a book between the jaws of the vise, but that it is not necessary to have a foot operated vise, any type of vise which serves tohold thebook stationary being suitable. A frame indicated as a whole by the numeral 35 is pivotally mounted on pins or rollers 36. The pins 36 are connected to the inner ends of compensating links 37 and theouter end of these links are pivotally mounted on-pins or bolts 38, carried by the two jaws of the vise. A counterweight 39 is arranged beneath the pivot pins 36 and one of the weights is provided with a longitudinal slot 40 substantially centrally thereof. A second pair of links 41 are arranged adjacent the slotted weight 39 and have their outer ends pivotally connected to the pins 38 carried by the jaws of the vise, their in; ner ends being provided with openings adapted to receive a centralizing pin 42 for a purpose to be described.

A shaft 43 is mounted in the top of the frame, being supported in suitable bearings 44 and this shaft is provided with a hand wheel 45 on its outer end. Bevel gears 46 are secured to the shaft adjacent each end and these gears mesh with similar bevel gears 47 mounted on the upper ends of vertical shafts or screws 48. The upper shaft 43 is provided with a retaining collar 49 which is secured thereto by means of a pin 50 and is adapted to prevent longitudinal movement of the shaft.

The shafts 48 entend downwardly to a point adjacent the pivot pins 36 and are provided with threaded portions 51. These threaded portions extend through nuts 52 carried by rocker boxes 53. I

The portions of the machine described in the last three paragraphs are substantially shown in my Patent No. 1,565,183 granted December 8, 1925, with the exception of the extra pair of links 41 pivotally secured to the jaws of the vise and the'slotted counterweight. The portions shown and described in my patent referredto form no part of the present invention except in combination with the mechanism hereinafter to be described.

The numeral 54 indicates a shaft, carried between the rocker boxes 53 and this'shaft carries a rocker 55 which resemblessubstantially a half roller with the upper half thereof removed. The rocker 55 is hollowed out beneath the shaft 54 at points inwardly of each end whereby pulleys 56 may be mounted on the shaft. A collar 57 is secured to each pulley and a pin 58 extends through the collar and shaft 54 to secure the pulleys on the latter. A chase holder 59 is adapted to be secured beneath the rocker and in this instance the holder is secured by" means of suitable cords or closely wound springs 60 engaging the pulleys 56 and having their extremities secured to the chaseh older by means of bolts or the like 61. The chase holder is provided with outwardly directed guide pins 62 in each end thereof and on opposite sides of the rocker. A guide plate 63 provided with involucc slots 64 is arranged adjacent the outer extremities of the chase holder and the guide pins 62 are movablein the slots 64.

As shown in Figure 7, each plate 63 is socured to the outer ends of the rocker 55 by bolts or the like 63.

One or more chases indicated as a whole by the numeral 65 are carried by the chase holder 59 and each chase is secured to the holder preferably by a dove tail connection as shown at 66. Each chase is formed of upper and lower sections 67 and 68 respectively and these portions are secured together by screws or bolts 69. The inner faces of the chase sections are provided with alined openings 70 in which springs 71 are arranged. As shown in Figure 4 the head of the bolts 69 are normally counter-sunk a substantial distance below the upper face of the upper section of the chase and when the chase is in its normal inoperative position the sections thereof are spaced apart substantially as shownat 72. Suitable type 7 3 is carried by the chase and the showing in Figure 4 indieates how the type will engage the curved back of a book 74. The purpose of forming the chase in two sections will be later set forth.

As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the sections of the frame 35 in which the rocker boxes 53 are movable are provided on their inner sides with plates 75 secured to the frame by bolts 76 or the like. The plates 75 are provided with longitudinal openings 7 7 in which a portion of the rocker boxes is vertically movable when the shaft 54 is raised or lowered and are also provided with a small longitudiual slot- 7 8 in which a centralizing pin 79 is vertically movable. The pin 79 is provided with a lateral projection 80 and is movable in a relatively long slot 81 formed in the chase holder 59. (See Figure 3.) The pin 79 also is movable through an opening 82 in the guide plate 63. A lateral opening 83 communicates with the slot 81 and the projection 80 extends through this opening when the pin 79 is drawn wholly within the slot 81, as will be later more fully described.

In Figures 1. 2 and 8, I have shown a leaf holder which may be mounted adjacent the top of the vise jaws whereby gold or other leaf may be quickly and easily laid on the back of the book to be pressed. thereinto by the type. A pair of spring arms 85 are mounted on opposite sides of the machine, preferably adjacent the stationary jaw 12 and each arm carries a lateral projection 86 engageable in openings in the ends of a shaft 87. The latter has reels 88 of gold or other leaf mounted thereon to be used as stated. With the construction described, replacements or additional reels may be quickly mounted on the shaft 87 by bending either or both arms 85 outwardly to remove the projections 86 from the shaft, to permit removal of the latter. 7

The operation of the device is as follows:

The book 74, having longitudinal grooves 84 therein, is arranged between the jaws l2 and 14 of the vise and the latter are closed by means of the foot lever mechanism, the screw 30, or both. When the book is firmly secured between the jaws, the lips 16 of the each chase, and the latter are secured to the chase holder 59. After the type has been arranged in its proper position, the chase holder and all parts connected therewith may he raised or lowered by turning the hand wheel 45 until the type engages the curved back of the book substantially as illustrated in Figure 4.

In order to be certain that the lettering or designing will be started in the center of the book, the centralizing pins 79 are arranged as shown in Figure 3 whereby they will lock the. chase holder 59 and frame 35 together and permit the type to be arranged centrally of the back of the book. After the type is correctly positioned, the pins 79 are drawn into the slots 81 to unlock the parts mentionedand the pins are then turned about a a quarter of a revolution to permit the lateral projections 80 to be received in the openings 83.

The frame 35 must also be centralized with respect to the vise jaws. secured to the movable jaw 14 and the other link 37 tostationary jaw 12 it will be obvious that regardless of the distance between the vise jaws when they are in clamping position, which distance varies with books of different thickness, the pivot pins 36 will always be substantially centrally of the vise jaws. Movement of the jaw 14 outwardly causes the links to assume a horizontal position and inward movement of the movable jaw causes the links to assume an inclined position and raising the pivot pins 36. However, in order to absolutely centralize the frame 35 between the vise jaws, I provide additional links 41 which have their inner ends engaged by the 3 centralizing pin 42, the latter being extended into the slot 40 of the counterweight. As the slot 40 is in alinement with the axis of the pin 36,-the frame will be positively positioned centrally of the vise jaws and the book held therebetween. After the frame has been properly set the pin 42 is withdrawn from the slot 40 and the ends of the links 41 permitted to hang loosely until further use of same is required.

After the centralizing pins have been withdrawn from their locking positions, the machine is ready to be operated, it being understood, of course, that gold or other leaf has been previously laid on the back of the book whereby the type may press the desired dentaldisengagement or slippage between the rocker and chase holder.

In most instances the curve on the back of the book issubstantially concentric with the are described by the rocker during its rocking movement and no trouble is encountered during the finishing operation. However, there are instances when the curve of the back of the book is not entirely as hoped for and certain irregularities appear on the surface. By forming the chase in two sections with springs arranged therebetween, any irregularities will be taken care of by the resiliency of the chase. The screws 69 which connect the two sections of the chase are countersunk to a depth which will permit the two sections to move relative to each other, and it will be apparent that if relatively strong springs 71 are employed a nicely resilient chase will be provided.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as'a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim: a

1. In a machine for finishing a book, means fol-holding the book stationary, means for carrying type adjacent the back of the book to be impressed thereinto, and roller means "associated with said last named means for applylng a rocking force to said type as it is being impressed.

' 2. In a machine for finishing a book, means for holding the book stationary with the back thereof facing upwardly, means for carrying type above the back of the book to be impressed thereinto, means for raising and low ering said last named means, and roller means arranged above said type carrying means for applying a rocking force to said type as it is being impressed.

3. In a machine for finishing a book, means for holding the book stationary. means for carrying type adjacent the back of the book to be impressed thereinto, means for centralizing said last named means with respect to the back of the book, and roller means engaging said type carrying means for applying a rocking force to said type as it is being impressed.

4. In a machine forfinishing a book, means for holding the book stationary, means for carrying type adjacent the back of the book to be impressed thereinto, and a. substantially half roller associated with said last named means to rock said type as it engages the back of the book. i

5. In a machine for finishing a book, means for holding the book stationary, a pivoted frame arranged adjacent said book, type carrying means associated with said frame, type arranged in said last named means, and roller means acting upon said type carrying means for moving said type into rocking engagement with the back of the book.

- 6. In a machine for finishing a book, means for holding the book stationary, a pivoted frame arranged adjacent said book, type carrying means associated with said frame, type arranged in said last named means. and a substantially half roller associated with said type carrying means to move said type intoengagement with substantially all points on the back of the book.

7. In a machine for finishing a book, means for holding the book stationary, a pivoted frame arranged adjacent said book, type carrying means associated with said frame, type arranged in said last named means, means for centralizing said type with respect to the back of the book, and a substantially half roller acting upon said type carrying means to move said type'into rocking engagement with the back of the book. I

8. In a machine for finishing a book, means for holding the book stationary, a pivoted frame arranged adjacent the book, resilient type carrying means associated with said frame, type carried by said last named means, and roller means acting upon said type can rying means for moving said type into rocking engagement with the back of the book; 9. A machine constructed in accordance with claim 8 wherein said type carrying means includes a member formed of upper and lower sections which are normally spaced apart, and spring means arranged between said sections to oppose their movement to ward each other, said roller means acting upon the upper of said sections.

10. In a machine for finishing a book, a pivoted frame arranged adjacent the book, a substantially half roller mounted in said frame, a type carrying member arranged beneath said half roller, and connections between said member and said half roller whereby movement of said half roller over the upper surface of said member will impart a rocking motion to said member.

11. In a machine for finishing a book, a pivoted frame arranged adjacent the book. a shaft carried by said frame, a rocker mounted on said shaft, a type carrying member arranged beneath said rocker, pulleys arranged at spaced intervals on said shaft and extending above said rocker and cords engaging said pulleys and having their ends secured to said type carrying member on opposite sides of said rocker.

12. A device constructed in accordance with claim 11 wherein guide plates having curved slots therein are arranged adjacent the ends of said rocker, said type carrying member being provided with gulde pins m'ovable in said slots.

In testimony whereof I aflix my si nature.

LOUIS W. ME RS. 

